Independent. Member-supported.
For the Pacific Northwest.

Independent.
Member-supported.

Public media funding

2026 election results

OPB and KMHD events

OPB en Español

"Burnside Burn" Celebrates Legalization of Marijuana

The "Burnside Burn" took place at midnight July 1, to commemorate the legalization of marijuana in Oregon.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Become a Sponsor

Hundreds of people gathered on Portland's Burnside Bridge at midnight July 1, 2015, to celebrate the start of legal recreational marijuana in Oregon. The party, dubbed the "Burnside Burn," was organized by Portland's chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. — 1 of 11
Hundreds of people gathered on Portland's Burnside Bridge at midnight July 1, 2015, to celebrate the start of legal recreational marijuana in Oregon. The party, dubbed the "Burnside Burn," was organized by Portland's chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Christina Belasco / OPB

Participants gathered in the narrow pedestrian pathway, awaiting a marijuana seed giveaway and overflowed onto the road, causing traffic jams in both directions of the Burnside Bridge. — 2 of 11
Participants gathered in the narrow pedestrian pathway, awaiting a marijuana seed giveaway and overflowed onto the road, causing traffic jams in both directions of the Burnside Bridge.
Christina Belasco / OPB

Though Oregon voters approved the legalization measure last November, the law didn't official take effect until Wednesday. — 3 of 11
Though Oregon voters approved the legalization measure last November, the law didn't official take effect until Wednesday.
Christina Belasco / OPB

Recreational stores could open as early as Oct. 1. — 4 of 11
Recreational stores could open as early as Oct. 1.
Christina Belasco / OPB

Partiers celebrate the legalization of recreational marijuana in Oregon, July 1, 2015. — 5 of 11
Partiers celebrate the legalization of recreational marijuana in Oregon, July 1, 2015.
Christina Belasco / OPB

One man gave out free THC droplets to strangers in the crowd. — 6 of 11
One man gave out free THC droplets to strangers in the crowd.
Christina Belasco / OPB

Officers from Portland's police department were present at the event, though no serious trouble escalated. — 7 of 11
Officers from Portland's police department were present at the event, though no serious trouble escalated.
Christina Belasco / OPB

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws gave out a limited number of marijuana plants and seeds to the crowd that gathered near the Burnside Bridge in Portland. In the end a miniscule amount of participants walked away with the greenery. — 8 of 11
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws gave out a limited number of marijuana plants and seeds to the crowd that gathered near the Burnside Bridge in Portland. In the end a miniscule amount of participants walked away with the greenery.
Christina Belasco / OPB

The crowd celebrates as the clock strikes 12 and marijuana officially became legalized in Oregon. — 9 of 11
The crowd celebrates as the clock strikes 12 and marijuana officially became legalized in Oregon.
Christina Belasco / OPB

A man smokes a marijuana joint as others gather to celebrate the legalization of recreational pot in Oregon. — 10 of 11
A man smokes a marijuana joint as others gather to celebrate the legalization of recreational pot in Oregon.
Christina Belasco / OPB

Stragglers held on well past midnight to see if more marijuana would circulate. — 11 of 11
Stragglers held on well past midnight to see if more marijuana would circulate.
Christina Belasco / OPB

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Become a Sponsor

📨 Daily news in your inbox

Sign up today for OPB’s “First Look” – your daily guide to the most important news and culture stories from around the Northwest.

Email

Please leave this field blank

Federal funding for public media has been eliminated. Take action now and protect OPB's independent journalism and essential programs for everyone.

Make a Sustaining contribution now

Manage My Membership

FCC Public Files

FCC Applications

Editorial Policy

Streaming Now

Today, Explained

Switch Stream: